Why Massage Is Beneficial For Your Pet

The word 'massage' might make you think of a relaxing day at the spa with lowly lit rooms and soothing music in an attempt to get rid of the thoughts of looming deadlines, or recovering after the marathon you ran last weekend. However, massage therapy can be extremely beneficial for animals too.

Technically speaking, massage is a therapeutic manipulation of the body's soft tissues and can have 3 types of effect: mechanical, physiological, and psychological. Massaging a muscle mechanically stretches it, reducing the tone of the muscle. This can reduce muscle soreness and increase the strength of the connective tissues. Massage can also be used to mobilise and soften scar tissue after an injury or surgery, as it restores the function of the tissues by maintaining the movement between them. Massage also physiologically increases the interstitial pressure which increases blood and lymphatic flow which will help to reduce oedema and swelling. Finally, massage has a great influence on the sensory and autonomic immune systems. When massage is performed, reflexes that slow breathing, decrease blood pressure and improve digestion, whilst also reducing the levels of stress hormones circulating the body and increasing the levels of happiness hormones, therefore improving the animal's mental wellbeing.

There are a number of different massage techniques used in veterinary physiotherapy, with each technique having a different effect on the body and targeting different muscle groups. Stroking and effleurage help to reduce anxiety of the animal by encouraging relaxation, with effleurage having effect on the tone of the muscles by stretching to improve the mobility between the tissues. Compression, kneading and wringing aid venous and lymphatic return, creating a flushing effect to remove the by-products of inflammation. Friction, clapping and hacking all stimulate local circulation and the reflexes of the muscles and tendons.

Could my pet benefit from massage therapy?

Yes!

Just like humans, even if we are not in pain when we go for a massage, we feel so much better after. Many animals will not show that they are painful, but the difference in their gait and attitude following massage treatment is massive!

It is important to note that if an animal has received an injury, for example rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament, there will most definitely be muscular compensations where they have shifted their weight off the affected limb in an attempt to reduce the force through where they feel the pain. This means that the muscles which are now working even harder to keep the animal moving will start to become tense and sore. It is very common to see animals with back and pelvic muscle soreness as these areas are where most force will move through, especially if there is something niggling away somewehere else in the body.

Top human athletes require regular physiotherapy sessions to allow them to continue performing at their best, so why should our furry friends who keep us company on long walks not too?